Mumbai FC beats Bengaluru FC 1-0

Modou Sougou (centre, in blue) of Mumbai City FC and Sunil Chhetri of Bengaluru FC vie for the ball ; PIC COURTESY: ISL

On captain Sunil Chhetri's 50th Indian Super League appearance, Bengaluru FC were handed their first loss of the season by a Mumbai City FC team that scored in the first half and then defended resolutely throughout the second half to cement their status as one of the top teams of league.

Chhetri, who had played for Mumbai in the past, had the enviable record of having scored three goals in three games against his former club. But on the night, he couldn't make it four in four, despite a glorious opportunity to do so.

Yesterday at the Mumbai Football Arena, the Islanders took on a BFC team that played better than them. And at the end of the game, the joy that Mumbai's team showed after beating one of the best Indian club teams, across competitions was palpable.

The first ten minutes of the clash was almost like two heavyweight boxers eyeing each other, looking for openings. For Mumbai the movement of midfielder and local boy Raynier Fernandes was looking as the outlet that might yield some dividends.

The first clear chance of the night came to Bengaluru midfielder Francisco Hernandez who hit a right-back Rahul Bheke's cross into the ground. The ball bounced and almost crept in but Mumbai goalkeeper Amrinder Singh tipped the shot over the bar. The resultant corner brought no luck to the visitors.

The difference between the two teams eventually started to become clear as the game wore on. Mumbai, despite being one of the most tactically disciplined teams in the league this season, never looked like they belonged in the final third. When they attacked, it felt like an accident rather than a set of orchestrated moves. Bengaluru on the other hand, always looked dangerous, especially with their ability to pass their way through Mumbai's defence at will.

By the 25th minute BFC had three corners and had fashioned two chanced but had no goal to show for their effort.

And just as it looked like the away team would take the lead, Mumbai stunned them with a goal out of nowhere. A clearance by Arnold reached Rafael Bastos who saw midfielder Paulo Machado and made a through the heart of Bengaluru. Machado made the perfect run and slotted the ball calmly past Indian international Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the 28th minute to score a goal deserved, but a goal that came out of nowhere nonetheless.

Mumbai almost struck again just as the half was about to end but striker Moudou Sougou couldn't manage to get ahead of Paulo Machado's cross.

After the break, Bengaluru had to try to bridge the deficit and their efforts opened the game up. Both teams were now looking to attack. But BFC's willingness to commit a lot more players to their attack almost cost them in the 60th minute. Mumbai were living in the hopes of a counter and almost got it through a Machado pass that saw Sougou clear on goal with only Gurpreet to beat. But the BFC No 1 came clutch and dived to his right to save a sure shot goal and prevented an early end of the night for Bengaluru. That would be the last bit of action faced by Sougou who from the looks of it, pulled his hamstring and was substituted. In the following minutes, Mumbai lost one of their paciest players and the counters automatically dried up.

As the match careened towards its finality, the away team ramped up their efforts to find an equaliser. In the 82nd a looping cross fell fortunately to Sunil Chhetri, but the attacker miscued his first touch and could only punch the ground in frustration at his team's inability to score a goal.

And frustration would be how the night spelled out for the league leaders. Having not lost a game and having come close to losing one when Mumbai visited Bengaluru earlier in the season, this loss would rankle. Giving up three points to the team chasing them on the league table would unfortunately be the salt that was sprinkled on their wounds. As the table stands, both these teams are at the top on equal points. But Bengaluru have a game in hand and thus an opportunity to retake their spot at the top.

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